Ericsson signs TDMA contract with Tritel

Tue, Jan 26, 1999 17:16 CET

Ericsson signs TDMA contract with Tritel
Ericsson and Tritel Communications announced an exclusive network
infrastructure agreement valued at approximately USD 300 million (SEK 2,310
million) for Ericsson to supply TDMA (IS-136) infrastructure equipment for
Tritel's PCS (Personal Communication Services) markets located in the
Southeastern United States.
Tritel will deploy the 1900 MHz digital systems throughout Mississippi and
Alabama, as well as parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Georgia. Under
the agreement, Ericsson will provide a comprehensive wireless network
solution, including the MSC 2000 and 5000 mobile switching centers, operation
support systems (OSS) and services.
"We are very excited to be working with an industry leader like Ericsson,"
said Jerry Sullivan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of
Tritel. "We have had a superior working relationship with Ericsson in the
deployment of our 850 MHz licenses dating back to the early '90s, and we look
forward to continuing that relationship throughout our PCS markets in the
Southeast over the next several years."
"We have a very aggressive schedule to meet, and we want vendors and service
providers like Ericsson to partner with us during this critical deployment
period to satisfy our customer needs," Sullivan added. "We are confident
that the abilities of the Ericsson management team will complement Tritel's
operational expertise and assure our success in the future."
"Tritel has chosen an Ericsson solution that addresses its customers' voice
needs of today and serves as a springboard for mobile data applications in the
Third Generation," said Skip Speaks, executive vice president and general
manager, Network Operators Group, Ericsson Inc. "This agreement exemplifies
Tritel's commitment to the consumer, and it supports Ericsson's vision of a
wireless world where subscribers have access to information wherever they may
be."
"The solution that Ericsson provides will allow our subscribers to take
advantage of the rich feature set across the largest digital wireless network
in the United States," said William Mounger, chief executive officer of
Tritel. "We are excited to have Ericsson as part of our team for the
future."
There are more than 90 million subscribers using TDMA/AMPS networks in more
than 100 countries worldwide. Nearly 18 million of these subscribers are
already using TDMA (IS-136) digital services. TDMA (IS-136) already delivers
over 85 percent of the IMT-2000 functionality and is being further enhanced to
deliver all IMT-2000 capabilities in the existing 800 and 1900 MHz frequency
bands and in the new 2 GHz band.
Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with
communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with
freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140
countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network
operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over.
Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Kathy Egan, Vice President, Communications, Ericsson Inc.
Phone: +1 212 685 4030
Bjorn Olsson, Excecutive Vice President and General Manager
Ericsson Business Unit TDMA Systems
Phone: +46 8 404 3958
Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@era.ericsson.se
COMPANY INFORMATION
Tritel, an affiliate of AT&T Wireless Services, will provide digital service
in Lousiville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro, Ky.; Nashville,
Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tenn.; Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and
Mobile, Ala.; and most of Mississippi, including Jackson, Tupelo and
Hattiesburg, as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tritel expects to begin
service in portions of its initial network in late 1999.
Tritel Communications, Inc., an affiliate of AT&T Wireless Services, is a
privately held company based in Jackson, Mississippi, with regional offices
located in Lousiville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee, and Birmingham,
Alabama. Tritel is a leading provider of communications services with
contiguous broadband PCS licenses situated in the southeastern United States
covering approximately 14 million people.
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The following files are available for download:
http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/01/26/19990126BIT00520/bit0001.doc
http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/01/26/19990126BIT00520/bit0002.pdf

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